37th WMC Wrestling - Yerevan (ARM) - Summary News
YEREVAN (ARM) - The 37th World Military Wrestling Championship, held in Yerevan, Armenia, brought together over 30 nations for a week of extraordinary competition, celebrating the strength, skill, and sportsmanship of military athletes. The championship showcased exceptional performances in freestyle, Greco-Roman, and women’s wrestling, captivating wrestling enthusiasts globally through robust media coverage and live broadcasts.
The event opened with electrifying bouts in various weight categories. On the first day, freestyle wrestling saw outstanding performances, with North Korea dominating several categories. Song Han Chong claimed gold in the 57kg division, while his compatriot Myong Kim Kvang triumphed in the 61kg category. Home favorite Andranik Avetisyan thrilled the Armenian crowd by winning gold in the 65kg division, and Kazakhstan’s Merizhan Ashirov reigned supreme in the 70kg category. In Greco-Roman wrestling, Armenia celebrated gold medals in the 60kg and 67kg divisions, thanks to Suren Aghajanyan and Gaspar Terteryan. Turkey, Iran, and North Korea also achieved podium finishes across categories. Women’s wrestling featured Switzerland’s Svenja Jungo clinching gold in the 50kg category and North Korea’s Hyang Kim Ji excelling in the 53kg division, with other medalists hailing from Mongolia, Kazakhstan, and Armenia.
Day two continued the excitement, with India’s Jaideep Jaideep dazzling the audience to win freestyle gold in the 74kg category, while Mongolia’s Olonbayar Suldkhuu dominated the 79kg division. Russia’s Arslan Bagaev displayed technical mastery to secure the 86kg title. In Greco-Roman wrestling, North Korea, Turkey, and Russia claimed multiple medals, with Turkey’s Selcuk Can and Russia’s Rafael Iunusov delivering gold-winning performances. In women’s wrestling, India’s Jyoti Jyoti secured gold in the 55kg category, and North Korea’s Son Il Sim triumphed in the 57kg division. Additional highlights included victories from athletes representing the USA, Mongolia, and Hungary, further underscoring the global talent on display.
The championship reached its climax on the final day, November 22, with thrilling competitions across freestyle, Greco-Roman, and women’s wrestling. In the men’s freestyle 92kg category, Russia’s Askhab Saadulayev captured gold, while Kazakhstan’s Kamil Kurugliyev claimed the 97kg title. Mongolia’s Enkhtuvshin Batmangnai emerged victorious in the 125kg division, showcasing his dominance. In the Greco-Roman events, Russia’s Vaag Margarian excelled in the 87kg category, and Hungary’s Szoke Alex delivered an exceptional performance to win gold in the 97kg division. Kazakhstan’s Alimkhan Sydzykov triumphed in the 130kg event. In women’s wrestling, Romania’s Kateryna Zelenykh stood atop the podium in the 65kg category, and France’s Pauline Lecarpentier excelled in the 72kg division. Mongolia claimed the women’s wrestling team title, with the USA and North Korea rounding out the top three.
The championship concluded with a spectacular closing ceremony, celebrating the achievements of the athletes and the camaraderie among nations. A gala dinner and cultural day enriched the experience, with participants visiting iconic sites such as the Ararat Brandy Company and the historic Garni Temple, leaving them with unforgettable memories of Armenia’s heritage.
CISM expressed its gratitude to the Armenian Armed Forces for their outstanding organization of the event. The championship emphasized the unity and sportsmanship of military athletes, offering a thrilling display of wrestling at its highest level. As the wrestling championship concluded, the CISM community turned its attention to the upcoming 24th World Military Equestrian Championship in Doha, Qatar, set to take place from November 25 to December 1, 2024.
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(Source: CISM Media & Communication Department – Pictures: Armenian Armed Forces)
